Conversion and headlight arrangement for suction cleaners



Aug. 1951 D. c. GERBER 2,563,717

CONVERSION AND HEADLIGHT ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1949 n m n m fla le 669/169! BY 4 .5: M

- ATTORNEY.

Aug. 7, 1951 D. c. GERBER 2,563,717

CONVERSION AND HEADLIGHT ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed Jan. 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. II I ll '1 Dale 668/166! 1 u um 2/ r S W T E ATTORNEY.

Aug. 7, 1951 D. c. GERBER CONVERSION AND HEADLIGHT ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 26, 1949 mvsmon. DaleC. Gerber ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 7, 1951 CONVERSION AND HEADLIGHT ARRANGE- MENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Dal-e C. Gerber, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application January 26, 1949, Serial No. 72,839

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to suction cleaners of the socalled tank type in which cleaning tools are connected to a motor-fan-fllter unit by means of a flexible hose.

Motor-fan-filter units of tank cleaners have a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet. The usual practice is to make the end of the hose which is to be attached to the cleaner in the form of a joint so that it may be interchangeably connected with either the suction inlet or the exhaust outlet of the unit whereby the unit may be used for suction cleaning or blowing dust and dirt from otherwise inaccessible places or for spraying, fumigating, and other like household tasks.

With such cleaners to convert from suction cleaning to blowing or vice versa, it is usually necessary to detach the hose from the inlet and connect it to the outlet or vice versa. According to the present invention a single hose connection is provided with conduits leading to both the suction and exhaust ends of the unit and with valve mechanism whereby the single connection may be selectively placed in communication with either the suction or exhaust ports of the air moving unit.

It is desirable to use a light on a tank type suction cleaner in a position to illuminate the area to be cleaned by the nozzle which is attached to one end of a flexible hose, the other end of which may be attached to either the suction or exhaust ports of the air moving unit. During the cleaning operation the power unit of tank type suction cleaners is usually pulled about by means of the hose which connects the cleaning tool to either the suction or exhaust ports of the unit at opposite ends thereof and formed in the respective end caps of the unit.

With such units it is necessary to provide a light in each end thereof or to forego the use of the light for one type of operation, that is, either the suction or blowing operation. I

In suction cleaners of the tank type it is usual practice to position the dust filter between the suction inlet and the motor-fan unit whereby the air is filtered before it passes through the motorfan unit. That is, the filter is at the suction end of the unit and the motor of the unit at the exhaust end.

If a light is to be mounted in the suction end cap it is therefore necessary to provide electric conductors extending from the exhaust end of the unit where the motor is positioned to the suction end cap which is usually detachable for the purpose of cleaning the filter. This necessitates the use of detachable electrical connections between the main housing and the end cap of the unit.

According to the present invention, the above drawbacks are eliminated. According to the present invention the light is mounted in the exhaust end cap'which is semi-permanently attached to the housing adjacent to the motor so that the light may be easily electrically connected in circuit with the motor. A conduit extends along the top of the cleaner from the exhaust end cap to the suction end cap. At the exhaust end cap the conduit is provided with a joint for detachably receiving one end of a flexible hose. Near the exhaust end the conduit is provided with a valv manually operable whereby the hose may be selectively connected to communicate with either the suction chamber or with the exhaust chamber.

According to another feature of this invention the conduit which extends between the exhaust and suction ends of the cleaner is raised upwardly above the walls of the cleaner housing for a portion of its length so as to form a carrying handle whereby it is unnecessary to provide the usual carrying handle. Additionally, the switch which controls the motor and light is conveniently positioned beneath the raised handle forming portion of the conduit so as to protect it against injury by being brought into contact with other objects.

The exhaust end of the conduit is connected to the body of the cleaner by an insulating duct member, the exhaust chamber of the unit being connected to the interior of the conduit by means of this duct. This duct member carries a valve which is used to place the hose in communication with either the suction or exhaust chambers. The duct also has an opening which serves as an exhaust opening when the cleaner is being used for suction cleaning and as an inlet pening when the cleaner is used for blowing.

According to another feature of this: invention the exhaust chamber is so formed and the light for illuminating the surface to be cleaned is so mounted relative to the exhaust chamber that the flow of filtered air therethrough sweeps over the light and serves to keep it cool.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the suction cleaner of this invention showing a suction nozzle attached thereto by means of a flexibl hose;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the cleaner of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the exhaust chamber of the cleaner of Fig. 1; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the invention showing a different manner of incorporating a light in the exhaust end cap.

Referring to the drawings the reference numeral It! represents the casing of a motor-fanfilter unit which is supported in a longitudinal position for movement over a surface by runners H as is well known in the art. The opposite ends of the casing or housing l are closed by an exhaust end cap i2 and a suction end cap Hi. The exhaust end cap i2 is semi-permanently attached to the casing ill in any suitable manner as is well known in the art while the suction end cap I3 is attached to the suction end of the casing for ready detachment so that the filter can be readily cleaned as is well known in the art.

The suction end cap I3 is of special formation and forms a portion of the suction chamber of the unit. It may be made of any suitable material but is preferably made of hard rubber or a phenol condensation product. The end cap I3 includes a hollow extension l4 communicating with one end of a conduit l5 which extends longitudinally along the top of the casing I0 and terminates near the exhaust end cap |2 in a coupling member adapted to detachably receive one end of a flexible hose It. The other end of the hose l6 may be attached to a suction nozzle as shown in Fig. 1 or to any other tool such as a blower nozzle, sprayer, or other special household tool. 4

On the interior of the casing is mounted a motorfan unit, the motor l8 of which is shown in Fig. 2. The motor-fan unit is supported within a casing I'll by any suitable means including the bulkhead |9. Operation of the motor-fan unit draws air inwardly through the suction end cap l3, through the fliter 20 and discharges the clean filtered air through openings 2| (Fig. 3) in the bulkhead l9 and into the pressure chamber 22.

The conduit I6 is suitably attached to the casing ID at the suction end, and extends upwardly at 23 near the center of the casing to form a handle portion 24. Near the exhaust end cap I! the handle portion 24 is attached to the casing III by aduct member 25 which places the interior of the exhaust chamber 22 in communication with the interior of a conduit 5.

Pivotally mounted on the interior of the duct 25 is a valve 26 which when positioned in a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2 completely closes the interior of the conduit l5 and in cooperation with the walls of the duct 25 forms a passage 21 extending between the exhaust chamber 22 and the interior of the conduit l5 and a passage 28 extending between louvres 29 through the wall of the duct 25 and the interior of the duct l5.

When the valve 26 is in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 4 the valve closes the passage 21 and forms a portion of the walls of the conduit I5 so that its end I1 is in open communication with the interior of the suction end cap l3 and the exhaust chamber 22 is in open communication with the louvres 29.

Attached to the shaft which pivotally mounts the valve 26 and positioned exteriorly of the duct 25 is the handle 30 by which the valve 26 may be manipulated. The handle 39 preferably extends parallel to the valve 26 so that when it is in horizontal position the valve will be turned for suction cleaning and when in vertical position the valve will be turned for blowing. Indicia may be provided on the exterior of the duct 25 to indicate the position of the valve 26. i

The exhaust end cap I2 is also of special construction. As shown in Fig. 2 it is apertured to detachably receive a sealed beam combination light and reflector 3| of any suitable construction but of sumcient wattage to illuminate the entire area within the range of movement of the tool attached to the end of the hose l6. As shown in Fig. 2 the rear or reflector part of the light is adapted to be swept by the clean filtered air being 4 exhausted through the ports 2| in the bulkhead rue terminals or the light a are connected in circuit with the motor It in any suitable manner so as to be energized simultaneously therewith when the switch 32 is turned to its on position. As shown, the switch 32 is mounted beneath the handle portion 24 of the conduit I! so as to be protected against damage by being brought into contact with other objects.

In the modification of Fig. 4 the end cap I2 is especially made to receive any conventional light bulb 33. The rear of the cap I2 is in the form of a reflector 34, with a central sleeve 35 shaped to receive a conventional socket 36 for the bulb 33. The socket 36 is adapted to be connected in circuit with the motor I3 in any suitable manner. The front of the cap I2 is in the form of a lens 31 through which light rays from the bulb 33' are projected onto the surface to be cleaned. Near its bottom, in front of the ports 2| in the bulkhead IS, the reflector 34 is apertured at 33 and restricted openings 33 are provided in the top wall of the cap I2 to provide for circulation of a portion of the air from the exhaust chamber 22 over the bulb 33 so as to maintain it in a cool condition.

Operation I In operating the cleaner of this invention for cleaning floors the user usually pulls the cleaner about over the floor by pulling on the hose l8. Thus, whether a suction tool or a blowing tool is being used the light will always be facing in the right direction to illuminate the area which is to be cleaned.

When it is desired to clean drapes, furniture, or other oiT-the-floor cleaning the cleaner may be upended and supported on the suction end cap l3 which has a flat surface for that purpose. The cleaner of this invention is particularly adapted for such use since there is no exhaust or suction port through the end cap on which the cleaner is to be supported as is the case with the usual tank cleaner.

When it is desired to use the cleaner as a suction cleaner the handle 39 is turned to a horizontal position so that the valve 26 will be positioned horizontally as shown in Fig. 4. The connection H and thus the suction tool being used will be in communication with the chamber formed interiorly of the suction end cap l3. The dirty air will pass through the filter 20 where it will be cleaned, pass over the motor-fan unit and be discharged through the ports 2| in the bulkhead IS and into the exhaust chamber 22.

In the modification of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, all of the air exhausted through the ports 2| will pass over the rear of the light 3| and maintain it in a cool condition. From the chamber 22 the exhaust air will pass to the-atmosphere through the duct 25 and the louvres 29.

In the modification of Fig. 4 a portion of the air discharged through the ports 2| will pass through the aperture 38 in the reflector 34, pass over the bulb 33 and exit through the restricted openings 39. The remainder of the air will pass to the atmosphere through the duct 25 and the louvres 29. The proportion which passes over the bulbs 33 is of course determined by the size of the restricted openings 39.

If the cleaner is to be used for blowing the handle 33 is turned to vertical position whereby the valve 26 will also be turned vertically as shown inI-ig. 2. Air will be drawn into the duct and not in a limiting sense.

25 through the louvres 29, pass through the passage 28, conduit I5, end cap l3 through the filter bag 20 and be discharged into the chamber 22 through the ports 2|.

In the modification of Figs. 1 to 3 the air discharged through the ports 2| will pass over the rear of the light 3| to keep it in cool condition, pass through the port 21, coupling 11, and hose I6 and thus to the particular tool being used.

In the modification of Fig. 4 a part of the air discharged through the ports 2| will pass over the bulb 33 as described previously. The remainder of the air will be available for use at the end of the hose I 6 as described in connection with the first modification. The quantity of the air exhausted by such suction cleaners is usually far in excess of the quantity needed for any blowing operation so that the small quantity led over the bulb 33 will not materially aifect the operation of blower tools.

From the foregoing it can be seen that this invention provides a suction cleaner in which a conduit has communication with both the suction and exhaust ports of a motor-fan-filter unit whereby by manipulation of the valve any cleaning tool which it is desired to use may be selectively connected to either the suction or pressure side of the unit depending upon which is desired. Further, the conduit which connects the suction and exhaust ports of the unit is positioned lengthwise of the motor-fan-filter unit and forms a carrying handle for the unit. Additionally, the structure is such that the hose is connected at the exhaust end of the motor-fanfilter unit whereby a light may be mounted in the exhaust end cap in a position for easy electrical connection to the electric circuit of the motor.

While I have shown but twomodifications of my invention it is to be understood that these modifications are to be taken as illustrative only I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations thereof except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim: I

1. A suction cleaner comprising, a casing,

means for supporting said casing in a horizontal position on a surface to be cleaned, a motor-fanfilter unit within said casing, said motor-fanfilter unit being arranged to provide a suction chamber and a pressure chamber at opposite ends of said casing with the filter of said unit being positioned at the suction chamber end and the motor of said unit at the pressure end, a suction end closure detachably secured to the suction end oi said casing, a pressure end closure secured to the pressure end of said casing, a coupling fitting for the attachment of a flexible hose supported at the pressure end of said casing, duct forming means connecting said fitting to said suction and pressure chambers and said suction and pressure chambers to atmosphere, valve means for selectively controlling the ducts of said duct forming means to connect said fitting to said suction chamber and said pressure chamber to atmosphere or said suction chamber to atmosphere and said fitting to said pressure chamber and a light supported in said pressure end closure in a position to project light onto the surface being cleaned whereby said surface will be illuminated whether the cleaner is being used for suction cleaning or blowing as the cleaner is propelled about by pulling on a hose attached to said fitting.

2. A suction cleaner according to claim 1 in which said light is positioned to be cooled by air flowing from said pressure chamber whether the cleaner is used for suction cleaning or blowing.

3. A suction cleaner according to claim 1 in which said light is positioned in a chamber separate from said pressure chamber and vent forming means for diverting a portion of the air flowing from said pressure chamber through said separate chamber whether the cleaner is used for suction cleaning or blowing.

4. A suction cleaner according to claim 1 in which said suction end closure is constructed to support said casing in a vertical position with said light directed upwardly whereby vertical surfaces to be cleaned will be illuminated whether the cleaner is being used for suction cleaning or blowing.

5. A suction cleaner comprising, a casing, means for supporting said casing in a horizontal position on a surface to be cleaned, a motor-fanfilter unit within said casing, said motor-fanfilter unit being arranged to provide suction and pressure chambers at opposite ends of said casing with the filter and said unit being positioned at the suction chamber end and the motor of said unit at the pressure end, a suction end closure detachably secured to the suction end of said casing, a pressure end closure secured to the pressure end of said casing, a coupling fitting for the attachment of a flexible hose supported at one end of said casing, duct forming means connecting said fitting to said suction and pressure chambers and said suction and pressure chambers to atmosphere, valve means for selectively controlling the ducts of said duct forming means to connect said fitting to said suction chamber and said pressure chamber to atmosphere or said suction chamber to atmosphere and said fitting to said pressure chamber and a light supported on the end closure at the same end of said casing on which said fitting is supported in a position to project light onto the surface being cleaned whereby said surface will be illuminated whether the cleaner is being used for suction cleaning or blowing as the cleaner is propelled by pulling on a suction hose attached to said fitting.

6. A suction cleaner according to claim 5 in which the end closure at the end of said casing opposite that upon which said fitting is supported is formed to support said casing in a vertical position with said light directed upwardly whereby vertical surfaces to be cleaned will be illuminated whether the cleaner is being used for suction cleaning or blowing.

.DALE C. GERBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

